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Anglican Parish of the Nerepis & St. John

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Feel Done with 2016? This one’s for you…

December 3, 2016 By Rev. Michael Caines

Experiencing Grief? Not looking forward to Christmas?  This one’s for you…

Luke 7:11-17 Jesus Raises the Widow’s Son at Nain

11 Soon afterwards* he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. 12As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town. 13When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, ‘Do not weep.’ 14Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, ‘Young man, I say to you, rise!’ 15The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus* gave him to his mother. 16Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, ‘A great prophet has risen among us!’ and ‘God has looked favourably on his people!’ 17This word about him spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country.

Nothing to offer but God’s Promise through God’s Word

Heard people say, “I am done with 2016. 2016 was not my year.”

Here b/c of grief of some kind -> grief often gives feeling of separating/isolating us from others

Nain: Labrador? furthest north? Nain, Israel -> town out of the way

  • If you’re feeling out of the way, separated, isolated, you’re in good company

Here’s what happened…

vs. 11 “.. he went to a town called Nain…” Jesus. Showed. Up.

  • Finds widow burying her only son – knows grief
  • Jesus saw her, had compassion for her
  • In case you weren’t sure: JESUS SEES YOU, HE HAS COMPASSION FOR YOU

o in the quiet moments, the anger, the pain, isolation, anguish, ambushed, etc.

You may say, “How? When will I know??”

Here’s what happens next…

vs. 14 He came forward, touched the casket, said, “Young man, I say to you ‘Rise!'”

Up. He. Gets.

vs. 16 They rejoiced. “God has looked favourably on his people”

Note: After this, this family would still have experienced grief/the separation/isolation/torn apart..

To those of us who say, “2016 wasn’t my year, I feel isolated, separated, pushed aside, emptied of hope, etc.”

Jesus comes to you. He sees you. He has compassion for you.

He is ready to touch your situation and say, “Rise!”

  • We will let him worry about the details..
  • About the Author
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Rev. Michael Caines

I live to answer the question: “So how did you go from civil engineering to becoming a priest??” I have been here since 2008 when I arrived as the assistant. Since 2012 I have been leading the church as the Priest-in-Charge, and now as the full-time Lead Pastor. I grew up in Sussex, N.B. and then studied Civil Engineering at UNB Fredericton. After a brief period in youth ministry my wife and I moved to Uganda to teach and work at an Anglican Secondary School. After that, I studied at Wycliffe College in Toronto, ON and was ordained in 2008. I served with the Naval Reserve for a number of years but now as the Chaplain for 3 Field Artillery Regiment in Saint John and Woodstock, N.B. I love the outdoors and in my down time I enjoy running, sailing and playing music, but most importantly, time with my family.

  • Mid-Summer Parish Update - June 23, 2021
  • The COVID One-Year Anniversary Edition - March 12, 2021
  • Soccer, Sailing and Surrender… - February 25, 2021
  • Stairway to Heaven or Us? - February 16, 2021
  • Dispersed to Go Deep? - February 9, 2021
  • Johnny Cash and Progressive Miracles - February 2, 2021
View All Posts

All message sent through this contact form will go directly to Rev. Michael Caines

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    Past Blog Posts

    Mid-Summer Parish Update

    June 23, 2021 By Rev. Michael Caines

    The COVID One-Year Anniversary Edition

    March 12, 2021 By Rev. Michael Caines

    Soccer, Sailing and Surrender…

    February 25, 2021 By Rev. Michael Caines

    Stairway to Heaven or Us?

    February 16, 2021 By Rev. Michael Caines

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    PHONE: (506) 738-3474
    EMAIL: therezadm@gmail.com
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    20 Macdonald Ave
    Grand Bay-Westfield, NB
    E5K0B3

    Anglican Church of Canada

    The Parish of the Nerepis & Saint John is located in New Brunswick, Canada, and is a member of The Anglican Diocese of Fredericton, and The Anglican Church of Canada.

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